Repair of Osteochondral Defect Using Chitosan-collagen Sponge intheRabbit's Knee / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To determine the suitability of using a chatoyant-collagen sponge as a scaffold for transplanting a chondrocyte into a full-thickness articular cartilage defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro characterization of a chatoyant-collagen sponge infiltrated with the chondrocyte was combined with an in vivo assessment of the early articular cartilage repair in a rabbit's knee by H&E and MTT staining. These porous chatoyant-collagen sponges were implanted into the osteochondral defects made in the left patellofemoral grooves of 12 rabbits. The osteochondral defects were untreated in the right side and used as controls. The experimental animals were sacrificed 1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks after implantation and the repaired tissue was evaluated by a gross and histological evaluation using the Wakitani score. RESULTS: More primary cells cultured from the articular cartilage of the rabbit's knee were found to attach to and survive within a porous chatoyant-collagen sponge than with a chatoyant sponge. In gross and histological examination, the experimental group showed indications of repair, which appeared similar in color and texture to the surrounding articular cartilage. The Wakitani scoring in the experimental group at 6 (Ave. 10.7) and 12 (Ave. 7.3) weeks were superior to those in the control group at 6 (Ave. 8.7) and 12 (Ave. 3.7) weeks (6 wk: p=0.03, 12 wk: p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Scaffolds composed of porous a chatoyant-collagen sponge enhance the growth of cartilaginous repair and make a milieu for the survival of chondrogenic cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Attachment and Growth of Cultured Fibroblasts on Chitosan Sponge

Closure of large skin wounds with split-thickness skin graft requires extensive harvesting of autologous skin. The limitation of available donor areas has sought various kinds of skin equivalents for coverage of skin defects. Concept of living skin equivalent using fibroblast and keratinocyte is the most promising one. For seeking ideal artificial skin, we conducted a research of new dermal alternative using chitosan. Fibroblast scattered on chitosan and chitosan-collagen sponge polymers were cultured for 3 weeks and chitosan and chitosan-collagen sponge polymers were grafted on the back of 250 gm Sprague-Dawley rat. There was statistically significant difference in fibroblast attachment as well as fibroblast proliferation between chitosan and chitosan-collagen sponge. Four weeks after grafting, the grafted area was examined. In the area of chitosan sponge graft, there was no clinical sign of inflammation. However, mild inflammatory infiltration and a few multinucleated giant cells were observed. In contrast, chitosan-collagen sponge grafted area showed no foreign body reaction clinically and histologically. In conclusion, concomitant use of chitosan and collagen resulted in better fibroblast attachment and proliferation and minimal immunologic reaction than chitosan sponge.